IESTYN HARRIS makes his debut for the Cardiff Blues tonight with his coach hoping it will be the shape of things to come for many a year.

Harris has another 18 months to run on his contract and recently ended speculation about a possible return to league by saying he was committed to the union code and Wales for that period.

Now Blues coach David Young says he would love to see the 27-year-old stay at the Arms Park beyond the end of next season.

"Everyone at Cardiff hopes that he won't just fulfil his contract but stay for a longer period," he said. "We would like for him to be part of the set-up for years to come."

Harris featured at inside centre for Wales at the World Cup, but is back in his regular Arms Park position of fly-half for the Celtic League clash with Munster in Cork.

"I have spoken to Steve Hansen with regards to that," said Young. "He welcomes the opportunity for Iestyn to play at 10. Although he picks him at 12, there could be occasions when he needs to slot in at fly-half for Wales.

"From our point of view, we signed Iestyn as a 10 and have recruited around him on that basis. If he commits to us long term beyond his contract, then perhaps we may have to change our thought process."

As for Harris himself, he is happy enough to be calling the shots at fly-half.

"At the end of the day I played there for 18 months when I first arrived," he said.

"It has taken a bit of getting used to this week. There have been new moves and new calls to learn, but I am confident I can go back to playing there. I feel comfortable about it.

"Admittedly, it does bring a whole new challenge.

"At No 10 you are the one who has to control the tactics and make the majority of the decisions and, in that way, it differs a bit from centre.

"But I've no problem with the switch. I'm relishing it in fact and I'm happy to play whichever role Dai Young wants.

"That is as long as I'm not going back and forth from 12 to 10 every other week."

Harris could hardly have asked for a more daunting assignment on his regional debut, with Munster having named their strongest available side for the Musgrave Park encounter following the return of their Irish World Cup stars.

"I have not played in Cork before, but I know it's going to be all the usual things - hostile and tough," he said.

"But we are something like third from bottom of the table and we badly need a win.

"It's about us getting back to winning ways. Winning becomes a habit and it's a habit we need to start picking up."

Coach Young, who has named all five of his World Cup returnees, says tonight's game will serve as the perfect preparation ahead of the start of the Heineken Cup next week.

Injuries have deprived Munster of the services of All Blacks recruit Christian Cullen, plus Irish internationals Alan Quinlan, John Kelly and Anthony Horgan.